Here is another race report that I got after our team went to New Orleans to do the Mardi Gras Rock-N-Roll Marathon and Half Marathon. Here’s Elissa’s break down:
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I ran the New Orleans half and was pleasantly surprised by my results. My goal time was 1:40, which would be my PR by almost 3 minutes. I ran it in 1:39:47!!!!
On race day the weather was great, it started out in mid-40′s and by the end, I’m sure it was in the 50′s. An hour before the race, I made sure that I had finished eating a clif bar, my typical chocolate brownie one. I drank water off and on to make sure I was well hydrated. During the run, I walked around 30 seconds at each water break. I only drank water at the aid stations because sports drinks don’t sit well with me while I’m running. At mile 4.4 and 9.1 I took a GU which was the first time I had taken 2 during a race. I liked doing it that way too. I will continue to take 2 during a half. At mile 12, I really started pushing it and was able to maintain that energy all the way through. I was even able to sprint hard the last .3 or so. It also helped that a girl around my age and I were racing each other to the finish line. Although I do think she beat me by a step. My average heart rate was 170bpm. This was the first training and race that I kept track of heart rate. Well, I didn’t keep track during the race, but took note of my average afterwards. The highest was 179bpm. Usually during my long runs my heart rate would be around 145-150.
My training wasn’t ideal in my mind not because of the plan but because I didn’t mentally think I could do it. Gary put me on a great plan that was challenging and kept pushing me even during rocky times. I train to race. I don’t really like the training aspect but I do it so I can get a certain time. I know of others who enjoy the training and thats just not me. The training was especially difficult mentally. I would find myself preparing to not reach the times that I was supposed to get on intervals. With the cold runs, snow on the roads, getting sick twice, running partners getting sick, etc it was a tough road.
But the speedwork involved with the training plan was great. Even though I wasn’t always able to get the times that I was shooting for, it still made me push my body and prepare my legs and my cardio to run a 7:37 pace. Thanks Gary and Endurance Base Camp for all the training and knowledge!!! I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking to PR, do something more than their normal routine or just learn to train better!
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